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No matter where you live, you or your loved ones are probably affected by pollution from the burning of coal and oil. It leads to serious, life-threatening health problems, inflicts millions of children with asthma, stifles childhood development, and cuts short thousands of lives every year. Fortunately, the Environmental Protection Agency exists to enforce much-needed safeguards that can stop polluters from making us sick.
In the past 40 years, the EPA has saved millions of American lives by enforcing clean air and water standards. Last year alone, more than 1.7 million asthma attacks and $110 billion in healthcare costs were avoided -- thanks to the agency's efforts.
To protect the health of our families, the Sierra Club is mobilizing our 1.4 million members and supporters in a national effort we call "Stop Polluters." Together we can send a message to President Obama: Both the physical well-being of our families and the economic well-being of our nation depend on enforcing strong public health standards. |
The Sierra Club's "Beyond Coal" campaign celebrated a major milestone this month: 150 proposed new coal plants have now been defeated! In fact, during the past two years not a single new coal plant has started construction, and the industry has announced the phase-out of over 50 old plants. What made it possible? Dedicated activists on the ground in almost every state -- working to abolish dirty coal and help communities transition to cost-effective, cleaner options.
Learn more about our "Beyond Coal" campaign and why it's critical to stop the Coal Rush. |
The Sierra Club's Outdoors Youth Ambassador intern will get to spend next summer hiking, rafting, and exploring with our youth programs all over the country -- all while video blogging about the experience. Aside from taking in glorious sights and meeting amazing people, he or she will earn a $2,500 stipend and get outfitted with $2,000 worth of gear from The North Face and Planet Explore.
If you're at least 18 years old and currently enrolled in high school, college, or university (or a recent graduate), then you'd better get started on your video application right away: The deadline is March 16. |
They suck blood, spread disease, eat their mates, and inspire great horror films. Those are just a few reasons why endangered insects rarely register on our radar, especially compared to more charismatic species like orangutans, tigers, and wolves (see below).
But in the latest issue of Sierra magazine, entomologist Richard Jones argues that even the most annoying bugs need protection -- maybe even a little love. His essay is illustrated by John Hallmén's astonishing close-up photographs.
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The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is one of our most cherished and respected environmental laws. Its power lies in the independent, scientific consultation at its heart. Now legislators are attempting to undermine the rule by eliminating the gray wolf for political purposes.
Politicians shouldn't be deciding which species receive protection and which don't. In fact, Congress has never before interfered with the ESA to unprotect a specific species. Wolves should not be the first. Tell Congress now: Keep your paws off the ESA! |
When elected leaders actually suggest that it might be better to abandon the Earth than to address climate disruption, there's got to be something we can do besides roll our eyes. Journalist Mark Hertsgaard's idea is to make such "climate cranks" explain -- on camera and in front of children -- why they want to condemn young people to spending the rest of their lives coping with the hottest climate in human history.
As part of a coalition that includes the Sierra Club, 350.org, Grist, and Kids vs. Global Warming, volunteers are putting climate cranks on the spot on Capitol Hill, at Fox News, and at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. We'll be posting the results soon.
You can listen to an interview with Hertsgaard, whose new book got rave reviews from both the New York Times and Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune, in this week's Sierra Club Radio program. |
The Sierra Club of Puerto Rico and its coalition partners turned out a big crowd at public hearings on the proposed fragmentation of the island's Northeast Ecological Corridor, which was designated as a nature reserve in 2008.
The new governor removed that protection the following year, though, to allow for large-scale development that could include nearly 5,000 residential and tourist units -- and four golf courses. |
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